Former Angels prospect John Hellweg headed to Japan

[Second Base]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/pirates-release-johnny-hellweg-japan-npb.html

Bummer because this guy could've really helped the Angels bullpen this season. Great fastball and breaking ball, and a nice guy to boot. Met him and his family in Arizona, good people.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Wasnt he one of our "better" prospects not long ago? I assume he was "better" because how bad our farm was for so long.

[Inside Pitch]

2 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Wasnt he one of our "better" prospects not long ago? I assume he was "better" because how bad our farm was for so long.

He was one of the two pitching suspects sent packing in exchange for Greinke.   

In 30 MLB innings he walked 26 and stuck out 9.   Career minor league BB/9 of 6.3 -- over 11 years -- K/9 rate of 6.7 in four AAA seasons.

 

[ten ocho recon scout]

Just now, Inside Pitch said:

He was one of the two pitching suspects sent packing in exchange for Greinke.   

In 30 MLB innings he walked 26 and stuck out 9.   Career minor league BB/9 of 6.3 -- over 11 years -- K/9 rate of 6.7 in four AAA seasons.

 

Thanks, I knew he was from that era. Its been awhile, but i think i remember reading his name on here and people arguing if it was a mistake to trade him.

[m0nkey]

Speaking of former angels pitching prospects, what is Anthony Ortega up to?

[Taylor]

2 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/pirates-release-johnny-hellweg-japan-npb.html

Bummer because this guy could've really helped the Angels bullpen this season. Great fastball and breaking ball, and a nice guy to boot. Met him and his family in Arizona, good people.

How could he have helped the bullpen this season if he's not good enough to stick in the MLB?

[Taylor]

5 minutes ago, m0nkey said:

Speaking of former angels pitching prospects, what is Anthony Ortega up to?

Kicking it with Joe Torres and Chris Bootcheck.

[m0nkey]

1 minute ago, Taylor said:

Kicking it with Joe Torres and Chris Bootcheck.

7  year veteran Chris Bootcheck.

 

My favorite part about his career was when he hurt himself running in from the bullpen during the Jason Kendall/John Lackey fight

[mulwin444]

That BB/9 though...

[Taylor]

1 minute ago, m0nkey said:

7  year veteran Chris Bootcheck.

 

My favorite part about his career was when he hurt himself running in from the bullpen during the Jason Kendall/John Lackey fight

Forever immortalized on his Wikipedia bio.

Quote

Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels

On May 2, 2006, Bootcheck was hurt while running from the bullpen to the mound during the Angels' brawl with the Oakland Athletics. He was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury and missed most of the season.

 

[Second Base]

Yeah Hellweg is from a couple eras back in terms of our farm system.  As part of a package deal, he was part of the beginning of the emptying of our farm system. Good numbers in AAA this year. He seems to have rediscovered himself as a pitcher.

[Taylor]

26 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

Yeah Hellweg is from a couple eras back in terms of our farm system.  As part of a package deal, he was part of the beginning of the emptying of our farm system. Good numbers in AAA this year. He seems to have rediscovered himself as a pitcher.

Then why is he going to Japan?

[T.G.]

10 minutes ago, Taylor said:

Then why is he going to Japan?

He loves sushi

[Second Base]

4 hours ago, Taylor said:

Then why is he going to Japan?

Lots of reasons. Speaking with friends and teammates that chose to play internationally versus the minor leagues, money played a big role. Rather than making $1600 a month and riding the bus for hours to play in half empty fields, they go across the ocean to make a half million or million, and get to refine their craft before coming back stateside.

Sometimes, teams will favor a good performance in Korea or Japan over a good performance in AA. Plus it's more lucrative signing a major league deal as a FA.

Miles Mikolas is the most recent example. Eric Thames too.

[TroutField]

4 hours ago, Taylor said:

Then why is he going to Japan?

 

[UndertheHalo]

Oh my god.  This is worse then the Kyle Kubitza bullshit.